SGR Learns of WCSD Foundation for Students

OPENING: Sergeant-at-arms Don Pendleton was on duty greeting members and visitors to the 3778th meeting of St. George Rotary. Ray Robinson led the SGR Choir in a rousing rendition of "You’re A Grand Old Flag." Reed Noble invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lowry Snow asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Sam McArthur stirred members into a frenzy of donations on behalf of the upcoming Utah Rotary District Conference with Jack Petersen collecting the filthy lucre.

President Ken reported on the excellent training provided at the District’s Southern Assembly held in Cedar City on Saturday, April 17.

Janet O’Riley introduced Kristen Nelson, Rotaract President at Dixie State College.

Dan Strobell was pleased to announce Jim Coleman, Reed Noble, Sam McArthur, Dan McArthur and Lowry Snow will be leaving with him for Guatemala on Friday.

President Ken announced District Governor Gil Trujillo also leaves this week for Bolivia with other representatives of the district.

Members are encouraged to bring prospective members to the meeting on Monday, May 3 when the entire program will be devoted to sharing the message of Rotary.

Jeff Morby reported on the upcoming Utah Rotary District Conference Golf Tournament. He is looking for hole sponsors at a cost of $100 - $300 each. All proceeds will benefit the Polio Plus Challenge.

PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS: Mike Heitkotter and Gai McArthur were named Paul Harris Fellows through a gift of $1000 each to The Rotary Foundation by donors Shar Heitkotter and Sam McArthur. Mike Heitkotter and Gai McArthur each received a commemorative certificate and a pin.

PROGRAM: Pam Graf, Department Director of the Washington County School District Foundation for Students shared her enthusiasm for the organization’s mission noting the Foundation supports students by providing resources required for a quality education which is not provided through traditional funding sources. Through the efforts of a strong board, the foundation is promoted within the community; student needs are responded to; the efforts of the foundation are orchestrated; educators are informed about the inner workings of the foundation; fundraising on behalf of student needs is coordinated and potential donors are educated about the benefits of giving.

Graf also outlined the successes of the foundation including $30,000 which supports the Sterling Scholar Program; $850,000 which has provided level libraries in most of the district’s elementary schools; and, generating $80,000 for a fine arts endowment. Graf said their work alongside SunRiver Development to coordinate the Kite Festival has, in its 11-year history generated $166,000 for the foundation.

Other successes include the development of a second Community Health Center clinic at Millcreek High School where most patients seeking health care have no insurance; support of the Backpacks for Kids program which provides school supplies to more than 650 students each year in the district. Bob Green, who shared the lecturn with Graf, noted the number of children who are classified as homeless in the district has jumped substantially due to the downturn in the economy. 467 students have "doubled-up" (living with relatives or friends), 26 are living in motel rooms; 22 live in shelters such as Dixie Care and Share; 6 live in a car; and 24 are classified as "unaccompanied minors" who have essentially been "thrown away" by their family. "Times are tough," said Green. "There are lots, and lots of stories I could tell about difficult situations in the community. We all need to do what we can."